NHL Player News

Harkins signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Lightning on Friday.

Harkins had three goals, eight points, 28 PIM and 113 hits in 44 regular-season appearances with Anaheim in 2025-26. He also had five goals and 17 points in 11 regular-season outings with AHL San Diego last campign. The 29-year-old isn't guaranteed a bottom-six spot with the Lightning, but he should at least get an opportunity to earn that position during training camp.

Foote agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with Philadelphia on Friday, Jackie Spiegel of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Foote managed just one point in 12 regular-season games for the Panthers last year. In the minors, the 25-year-old winger was significantly more productive, racking up 14 goals and 18 assists in 54 regular-season games with AHL Charlotte. If needed, Foote should be near the top of the short list of potential call-ups next year.

Benn signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Stars on Friday.

Benn had 15 goals, 36 points, 53 PIM and 79 hits in 60 regular-season appearances in 2025-26. The 36-year-old shouldn't be counted on to get much more than 40 points next season -- and even that milestone might be missed if he deals with injury issues -- but he should be a solid bottom-six option and continue to guide the squad as its captain.

Hlavaj inked a one-year contract with Toronto on Friday.

It's a two-way contract for the goalie, per PuckPedia. Hlavaj figures to enter the season as Toronto's No. 4 backstop and will likely spend the year in the minors sharing the crease with Artur Akhtyamov. In 22 games with AHL Iowa last year, the 25-year-old Hlavaj went 7-11-4 with an .887 save percentage and 3.28 GAA.

Lettieri signed a one-year contract with the Maple Leafs on Friday. Per PuckPedia, it's a one-way deal worth $850,000.

Lettieri had 14 goals, 42 points and 32 PIM in 55 regular-season outings with AHL Toronto in 2025-26. He added another 11 goals, 26 points and 36 PIM in 23 playoff outings in 2026 to help the Marlies win the Calder Cup. Lettieri is slated to participate in the Maple Leafs' training camp, but he'll probably spend most, if not all, of the upcoming campaign in the minors.

Rittich signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Devils on Thursday, per PuckPedia.

Rittich had a 14-10-3 record, 2.76 GAA and .894 save percentage in 30 regular-season appearances with the Islanders in 2025-26. The 34-year-old netminder hasn't logged more than 34 games in a single regular season since 2019-20, but he might get a chance to do so with the Devils. New Jersey traded Jacob Markstrom (undisclosed) to Florida on Tuesday, which means Rittich is likely to open 2026-27 in a timeshare with Jake Allen. The 25-year-old Nico Daws might also be a factor, especially if he has a convincing training camp.

McWard signed a two-year, $1.75 million contract with the Maple Leafs on Thursday, per PuckPedia.

McWard's new deal is a one-way contract in both years. The 25-year-old defenseman has logged nine career NHL games, earning one goal, eight shots on net, nine hits and 11 blocked shots. McWard will likely get a chance to compete for a roster spot with the Maple Leafs in 2026-27, but he'll probably spend most of the campaign with AHL Toronto.

Rybinski signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Maple Leafs on Thursday, per PuckPedia.

Rybinski had 30 points in 59 regular-season games with AHL Hershey in 2025-26. He's spent the last four years in the AHL and has yet to make his NHL debut. Expect Rybinski to play much of 2026-27 in the AHL.

Thrun signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Jets on Thursday, per Murat Ates of The Athletic.

Thrun had five goals, 23 points and 37 PIM in 55 regular-season appearances with AHL Toronto. He also had two goals and nine points in 24 playoff outings with the Marlies en route to winning the Calder Cup. At the NHL level, the 25-year-old has accumulated five goals, 25 points and 46 PIM in 123 career regular-season appearances. Thrun will enter training camp with a genuine shot of making Winnipeg's Opening Night roster.

Dobes signed a three-year, approximately $16 million contract with Montreal on Thursday.

Dobes made 43 regular-season appearances for the club last year in which he posted a 29-10-4 record, 2.78 GAA and .901 save percentage. The 25-year-old backstop figures to head into the 2026-27 campaign as the No. 1 option, but he will likely face challenges from Jacob Fowler for starts.